Ghana: Court may overturn John Dramani Mahama’s election

 John Dramani Mahama Ghana’s new President

 ACCRA (AFP) – Ghana’s highest court will issue a long-awaited ruling Thursday on whether to overturn President John Dramani Mahama’s election win last year on fraud allegations, a test for one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

The lawsuit by the New Patriotic Party, the country’s largest opposition party, over Mahama’s victory in the December 2012 election has been the subject of more than eight months of litigation in Ghana’s Supreme Court.

The sometimes tense proceedings have been broadcast live on radio and television and have been followed closely across the nation of 25 million people.

“Ghana’s elections will never be the same again, irrespective of how the ruling goes,” said Franklin Cudjoe, director of the IMANI think-tank in the capital Accra.

No matter how it rules, the court is likely to issue recommendations, he said.

The nine justices hearing the case have wide latitude to rule: they could reject the case, order that elections be held again, or decide that the electoral commission should overturn Mahama’s win.

According to the electoral commission, a defendant in the case along with the president and his National Democratic Congress party, Mahama took 50.7 percent of the vote over NPP candidate Nana Akufo-Addo’s 47.7 percent in the polls that observers called fair.

The NPP claims they were marred by irregularities, alleging ballot boxes were stuffed, voters were allowed to cast ballots without proper identification, and voting documents were left unsigned.

The case’s outcome is unpredictable and the possibility of a court-ordered change of power presents a high-stakes challenge.

Ghana is west Africa’s second-largest economy, thanks to exports of gold and cocoa along with a nascent oil industry, which began production in 2010.

Since 1992, Ghana has carried out six multi-party elections in a region where democracy remains fleeting for many.

Mahama’s successful campaign was built around his promise to continue the work of President John Atta Mills, his predecessor who died in office in July 2012. Mahama, who was vice-president at the time, took over after Mills’ death.

Akufo-Addo campaigned on a platform that centred on a controversial promise of free high school for all.

“We are confident in the merits of the case,” said Gabby Otchere-Darko, an adviser to Akufo-Addo. “We’re pretty confident that Ghana is on course for a historical verdict for democracy in Africa.”

While the 2012 elections were generally unmarred by violence, many in Ghana are wary of the type of bloody unrest seen after recent elections in Nigeria or neighbouring Ivory Coast.

There have been widespread calls for restraint from politicians and religious leaders.

Meanwhile, the police and military have taken to marching around the capital Accra in a show of readiness for the aftermath of the verdict.

Both parties have said they will accept the court’s ruling, though Ghana’s laws leaves the door open for further appeals.

“We are confident that the (opposition members) don’t have any case,” said George Lawson, an NDC official. “We’ve also advised our people not to engage in any violence.”

Everything from the conduct of the lawyers and witnesses to the quality of the evidence has been debated on the airwaves and written about in Ghana’s feisty press.

In June, irate judges declared that anyone making disparaging public statements about the court could be held in contempt.

Those who ran afoul of the order were kicked out of the courtroom, fined, or, in a few cases, jailed.

Editor of the Daily Searchlight newspaper Ken Kuranchie was jailed for 10 days in July for contempt after publicly criticising the judges.

The jailing sparked debate over Ghana’s contempt laws, many of which date back to British colonial rule.

But as the verdict looms, Cudjoe said the court’s willingness to spend months hearing the case deserves praise.

“Ours is a young democracy,” Cudjoe said. “We will have to see whether all these fine legal arguments that have been made are substantial enough to overturn an African election.”

Beverly Osu speaks About Sex With Angelo/AfroCandy's porn Movie Offer

 #BBA Contestant, Beverly Osu in a recent interview turned down Nigerian soft-porn star, Afrocandy generous offer to feature in her next movie.

Read what she said below
On Angelo’s supposed girlfriend Candice

I don’t want to talk about his so called girlfriend cos I don’t know anything about her.

If she had sex  with Angelo in the house?

I did not have sex with Angelo. I loved him and I still love him. I would get married to Angelo if I had the chance! 

And when asked about the bathtub scene with the South African, she insisted, ‘I’ll still say nothing happened between me and Angelo‘.

What exactly was your strategy? Was it to say it all?

I talk a lot. My strategy was nothing. I just went with the flow

On Afrocandy generous offer to feature her in one of her porn movie

Afrocandy nibo? No oooo…..Thanks for the offer but NO!

About her plans for tomorrow

 I’ll continue with my online reality show ‘Beverly Says’ and I’ll finish school…That’s what important now!
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/45467.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=share-button&utm_campaign=facebook

Syria: Who wants what after chemical weapons horror

 

(CNN) -- The ripple effects of an alleged chemical attack in Syria are being felt across the globe. The rhetoric is ratcheting up with talk of punishing Syria, even though Syria denies using chemical weapons. Allies of President Bashar al-Assad accuse the rebel forces of carrying out the chemical strike.

Meanwhile rebel forces, who also deny responsibility for the strike, say 1,300 people died in the attacks on the outskirts of Damascus. CNN correspondents and experts explain the different positions of some key nations involved in preparing for -- or warning against -- international military attacks on Syria.

Lagos State Govt has neither terminated nor cancelled the Concession Agreementt with LCC in Lekki-Epe Expressway

The Lagos State Government has announced its intention to buy back LCCs concession rights in the Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway. Find a press statement from the State Govt below..

The Lagos State Government wishes to state clearly that it has neither terminated nor cancelled the Concession Agreement it entered into with the Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) to reconstruct and expand the 49.36 km Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway.

To set the records straight, Lagos State Government is engaged in buying back the rights pertaining to the concession ahead of the 30-year period stipulated in the Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) Concession Agreement. This is to be achieved by purchasing all the shares in LCC.

The State Government came to this decision to buy back the rights in the light of several developments clearly not envisaged in the 2006 Concession Agreement (which became effective in 2008) a few of which are highlighted below.

The project, given its pioneering nature, had some underlying assumptions and market indicators under which the transaction was concluded which have since drastically changed in a manner that it can no longer be sustained in its current form. Such include the devaluation of the Naira and costs of construction.

The LCC, which is the special purpose vehicle representing the investors, formally brought it to the attention of the State Government that given the rapid rise in interest rates on local loans, and other cost parameters, it is compelled to raise tolls currently being charged at Toll Plaza One from N120.00 to N144.00 per Car. 

The Concessionaire also brought it to the attention of the State Government, that as provided for under the agreement, tolling would have to commence at Toll Plaza Two.

In addition, the Concessionaire indicated that unless it realised more income from increased rates at Toll Plaza One and commence tolling at the same rate per Car at Toll Plaza Two, it would not be able to meet its commitments to investors in the project and continue to fund completion of the remaining sections of the road. 

Furthermore, the LCC stated that Toll Plaza Three, as contained in the Agreement, must be built and tolls collected for the continued viability of the project.

Under such circumstances, the Lagos State Government felt obliged to buy out the interests of the Concessionaire in advance of the hand-over date of 2038 under a mutual settlement option also expressly provided for in the Concession Agreement. This is after due consultation with all major stakeholders including the Lagos State House of Assembly based on various feedback and agitation made to the Government.

Contrary to the misleading reports by some sections of the media on Wednesday, August 27, 2013 from the State House of Assembly’s consideration and approval of the 2013 Supplementary Budget, the buy-back is not and does not amount to a “termination” or “cancellation” of the concession of Eti-Osa, Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The significance of the buy-back, for which the State Government deserves commendation, is that it allows the Government to take full control over the determination of the toll rates in order to continue to make it affordable for road users. The LCC shall therefore continue to operate as a fully commercial entity for the benefit of taxpayers and the larger society.

More importantly, it would also preserve the ability of the Government to complete and deliver the infrastructure by direct budget funding, which was also one of the reasons for the presentation of the Year 2013 Budget Re-Ordering to the State House of Assembly.

In addition LASG wishes to reaffirm its unflinching commitment to the adoption of PPP Model as a complementary policy thrust for the acceleration of infrastructure delivery towards improving the living standards of the populace. Lagos remains an investor friendly State that shall continue to ensure the sanctity of contracts, as in this case, in sustaining investors’ confidence in its investment climate as a preferred destination.

The general public is therefore enjoined to continue to cooperate with LCC's officials and operatives as it continues the expansion and construction works on the 49.36km Eti-Osa Lekki-Epe Expressway and the operations of the toll collection systems. LASG wishes you a safe and happy motoring experience on the modernised expressway with its associated free value added services such as 24/7 security patrol, vehicle break down recovery, ambulance services, amongst others.

Eko oni baje O!

Ayo Gbeleyi                                                              

Honourable Commissioner for Finance

Ade Ipaye Honourable Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Young Shall Grow Motor boss attacked in Festac, driver&escort killed

The CEO of The Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo, was attacked by suspected assassins on Tuesday night August 27th on 22 Road in Festac Town, Lagos, killing his driver and police escort. He narrowly escaped death.

The multimillionaire businessman was returning home from work on Tuesday night when an SUV double-crossed his vehicle in a lonely area, and some armed men opened fire on Chief Obianodo's car. His orderly who attempted to fire back was killed, his driver who was trying to escape was also killed while Chief Obianodo was shot in the arm.

The shooting attracted the attention of some policemen on patrol in the area who rushed down to the scene and engaged the gunmen in a shoot out, killing two of them.

Chief Obianodo was rushed to the hospital where he is responding to treatment. The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident said it is under investigation.

Who wants Ngige out?

 Soludo, Ogene, Odenigbo, Uzoh, Mrs. Ekwunife , Okonkwo, Ndubuisi and Ifeanyi Uba

 
The APC is yet to hold its governorship primaries, but some folks in Anambra are apparently not waiting for the primaries to tackle the party’s presumptive nominee, Senator Chris Ngige.

Ngige’s chances of picking the APC ticket brightened last week after his major rival and predecessor in the Senate, Senator Annie Okonkwo agreed to step down for him following strong persuasions by Governor Rochas Okorocha. In fact, Senator Okonkwo followed his decision by collapsing his own formidable political machinery into Ngige’s campaign and agreeing to become the campaign manager for Ngige.

Now, even before the formal endorsement of Ngige as the APC candidate, a civil society group, the Conference of Nigeria Registered Voters has petitioned INEC, over what it claims as the system adopted by APC in picking its governorship candidate for the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.

Chairman of the group, Mr. Jezie Ekejiuba, in the petition addressed to the chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega said APC has hot followed the provisions of the Electoral Act in selecting its flag bearer for the election.

He said: “It may interest your commission to know that at the time of this petition, APC has not no interim state executive of state chairman of the party recognized by your commission. Also, the party has not conducted any congress or primary at the ward and local government levels and has not issued nomination forms for the three governorship aspirants of the party.

“Besides, it is improper for Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to announce to the whole world that the party primaries of September 2 would be a mere formality because the party already has a candidate in the person of Senator Chris Ngige.

“The adoption of Ngige is a clear violation of the provision of Section 87 of the Electoral Act (as amended, which provides for nomination of governorship candidates of political parties where there are two or more aspirants.”

According to him, APC has, in addition to Ngige, two other aspirants namely, Mr. Godwin Ezemo and Mr. Hyger Igwebuike.

Ekejiuba threatened to lodge his petition at the Federal High Court under originating summons to seek the interpretation of the provision of the Electoral Act relating to the nomination of governorship candidates.

Nwoye seeks peace with past enemies
The PDP candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye who was yesterday received by the national leadership of the party has been going out of his way to repair damages and hurt sensibilities that preceded his emergence.

But even more than that, the former student activist is also reaching out to established political interests in the state who took the posture of “siddon look” in the run up to the primaries.

As party chairman for about three years, Comrade Nwoye obviously hurt many political chieftains in the state, especially given the impression that he was at that time an associate of the then powerful presidential aide, Andy Uba who has now turned a senator. Indeed, Senator Uba emerged as governor of Anambra State in 2007 under Nwoye’s watch as party chairman.

Following his emergence as the party’s candidate, Comrade Nwoye it was learnt has been making a tour of many of those he may have hurt to appease them. Where not, Nwoye has equally been making phone calls to soothe frayed nerves of political chieftains.

Obiano is spotless — Menakaya
THOSE who have questioned the propriety of APGA choosing a political greenhorn to fly the party’s flag in the election can now be assured of one plausible reason the party machine moved towards Willie Obiano.

The chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tim Menakaya has disclosed that Chief Ralph Obiano’s victory was informed by the party’s resolve to present a candidate with an unquestionable record.

Menakaya, who said this in a chat with Vanguard in Akwa, also dismissed claims that those who stepped down for Obiano were forced to do so.

His words: “His emergence is an asset to the party because he is clean and has got good background. He represents a new dawn. That was why he was elected. He emerged because he will continue the good work the party accordingly.”

He further said, “People should stop peddling rumors and learn to appreciate a good product. No body was forced to step down. Those who did that acted on their own and in the interest of the party. At the end we are happy that are presenting a good candidate. What is left is for Obiano to go out there and win the election for the party.”

…He is no weakling — Obidigo
CHAIRMAN of Anambra East Local Goverment Area Mr. Chinedu Obidigbo has debunked claims that the APGA candidate, Chief Willie Obiano is a weakling who would be eaten raw by the candidates of the two major other parties, Chris Ngige of APC and Tony Nwoye of PDP.

He also dismissed assertions that Obiano has no structure in the state as he affirmed that with Obiano, APGA is certain to claim victory in the forthcoming election.

“What do they mean that he has no structure? What manner of structure are they talking about? Those claims are baseless and hold no weight. The party has spoken by presenting its best.”

“So the question of him being weak only exists within the imagination of the people making the claims.”

“I am saying this for the umpteenth time that there is no chance for any political party in Anambra State. APGA has done creditably well to deserve continuation. So what we are looking for now is consolidation”

Gov. Peter Obi’s footprints on Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala

The Government of Mr. Peter Obi, in partnership with the Churches, is re-building some missionary owned hospitals based on the philosophy that they also serve the people of the State. At affordable cost, since they essentially operate as charity organizations.
We will tour these hospitals to bring to you, esteemed readers, what he has actually done for them.
The pictures you are seeing are structures he completed or that are still on-going at our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.
They are (1.) Accident and Emergency Building; (2.) School of Medical Lab; (3) Hostel Block ; and (4) School of Midwifery.          More photos below:

Child marriage: woman seeks divorce, husband demands N300,000

 
Nasarawa  – Aisha Haruna , 20, of Uke in Nasarawa State on Tuesday at a Grade 1 Area Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, maintained her divorce request.

Aisha had on May 29 filed a suit seeking separation from her husband, Hussaini Haruna, 27, of Gurku Village,

At the resumption of hearing, she told the court that she and her husband could not resolve the matter after the last adjourned date on Aug. 19.

The husband, who spoke through his counsel, Nuru Mua’zu, demanded Islamic procedure of divorce.

“This is an Islamic matter and there are procedures to follow before a wife is granted her wish for divorce.

“One of the procedures is that the woman has to pay what is known as ‘Kuli’.

“Kuli means, paying back some of the expenses the husband made in the course of marrying the wife.

“Though I don’t have the document here, but the total expenses is around N300,000,” Mua’zu said.

He told the court that Aisha was eight months pregnant for Haruna.

Mua’zu applied for adjournment to enable him bring the document containing the list of expenses.

The presiding judge, Mr Musa Danjuma, granted the counsel’s application and adjourned the case to Sept. 2 for continuation of hearing.

The wife had earlier told the court that her parents gave her out in marriage at the age of 13 without her consent.

The mother of one said that she stayed in the marriage for seven years, adding that she had lost interest in the marriage.

She said her loss of interest was on the ground that she was a child at that time the marriage was contracted. (NAN)

Did J. Cole let Diddy down?

 

The MTV VMAs have been in the news for a host of shocking moments but none has our jaw on the floor more than the story that J. Cole got into a fight with P. Diddy! According to the rumour mill, J. Cole and Diddy got into a little scuffle at one of the after-parties held for the VMAs. No one knows what the argument was about but J. Cole was allegedly escorted out of the venue for incident.

Both Diddy and J. Cole have since tweeted about it but none of them clearly dismiss the rumour.Read both Cole and Didiy`s tweets below:

  J. Cole        ✔ @JColeNC

people will believe anything

1:36 AM - 27 Aug 2013

 

  Diddy        ✔ @iamdiddy

I usually don't address rumors but I got too much respect for my bro @JColeNC. We are friends. We just yell in public sometimes LOL #Fam

12:35 AM - 27 Aug 2013

Photo: OJB Jezreel in a hospital in India

OJB left Nigeria for India last Friday August 23rd for his kidney transplant. Treatment has already begun, please keep praying for him.

I Am Disappointed In You” – WizKid Reacts To J-Martins Allegedly Blasting Him Over Calling A Fan Broke

 

A few weeks ago, WizKid made a comment on his instagram page reacting to a diss from a fan on his photo. The comment made headlines all over twitter and caused a lot of people to react negatively towards him.
Yesterday, we reported that J-martins had blasted WizKid over the comment he made to the fan in question. If you miss it, see it HERE .
Meanwhile, WizKid took to twitter not too long ago to defend himself and also state that he’s disappointed in J-Martins for making such a statement….See the tweets below:

Afrocandy Invites Beverly Osu For A Role In Her ‘ashewo’ Movie

Afrocandy says if Beverly could do it infront of all, then she can do her movie. Hope Beverly replies her.